The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1887-10-26
The Factory ut AbbeviIle.

We believe it was the Columbia Register,
who said few days ago that the Press and
Banner favored the building OF factory at
Abbeville We presume our Intention to note
the feelings and talk of the people on Sale Day
was mistaken as the expression Of our own
sentiment AS n matter of fact, the founda-
ton for the article in question was based on
an unascertalned quantity of gas, and per-
haps a resolution or two. and the promises OF
individual subscriptions. The value of the
gas and the resolutions we do not pretend to
assess, but the promise Of money Subscriptions
so far as we had heard were about as follows !:
One enthusiastic farmer said that he would
be one of 4 thousand men to give ten dollars
Another farmer said he would give t'Oenty dol
lars and, If necessary to secure the success Oh
the enterprise he would double the amount; :;
a citizen of the village said he would take
stock to an amount, which VIC understood to
be about equal 10 the last named farmers
subscription; another citizen OF the village
said he would give fifty dollars straightout.
uithom stock. No general canvass had been
made, so far as we had heard, but these were
| all of the proposed subscriptions in money Of
which we have heard.
We intended merely to state the matter as
the talk OF the people, which statement we
| believe was literally correct but we intended
| to give no expression Of our own views, nei-
ther as to the advisabillty Of the investment
| nor as the possibility Of carrying out to frui-
ton the hopes of our citizens in the matter
The reasons urged for the factory. viz that
the factory would give more than the market
price tor cotton, must have carried conviction
with ii to every man who gave the matter
minutes thought. To put large capital into
theshands Of men with the avowed purpose OF
paying more than the market price for the
raw material, which the company would use,
would be fatal to the prospect of getting
capitalist to invest more than he would be VIII
ling to qiue to have such an institution estab.
lished.
The idea that the company's officers would
be excused for their extravaganza In their
purchases of cotton, because freight would be
saved to the company, is fully answered
when we state that the rate OF transportation
on the manufactured cloth Is exactly the same
rate as is charged on the raw material-by the
hundred pounds. or course in the manulac-
ture OF cotton cloth, the notes and some
trash would be removed, and therefore, we
presume q manufactured bale Of cotton would
weigh something less than the original bale
the freight on the ,Oustc only would be saved.
We would give 1t as own judgment that
there is not the shadow Of O probability that
O sufficient number of capitalists in this
county could be induced to invest their
money in an institution which would start
out with the avowed intention Of paying
more than the market price for the raw-ma-
terial which the company would use.
The Piedmont factory, we believe, had $500,
900 invested until q few years ago, the capital
stock was increased s750,00 The Pelzer man.
ufacturing company, we believe, started with
q capital stock of $500 900. We have seen the
statement that the company has recently
doubled its capital.
To run factory requires good management
and skilled 1nachinists who command high
salaries. The cost of running small factory
is greater, in proportion, than larger one.
If our capitalists are inclined to invest in q
factory we shall throw no obstacle in their
way. If they want to know how factory,
run by steam, will pay, let them enquire OF
some OF our citizens who invested In the
Newberry factory which has been managed
most skilliully and economically.
1ue soouer oui PeoPle pay ihoie "''eh
ton to their own individual success and pros
perity the sooner public prosperity will come
to our borders. Let the private citizens
seek the paths which lead to success. Let our
people make pastures, raise their own cattle,
horses, and hogs. Let the town people live
within their income, and husband all their
resources. Any country is good for the citi-
zen with money, but no country on the face
of the earth is very inviting TO the moneyless
man. Let us all try to save something, and
the factories will take care of themselves.